Seizure detection device

ABSTRACT

Example aspects of a collector for a seizure detection device, a seizure detection device, and a method of detecting a seizure are disclosed. The collector for a seizure detection device can comprise a collector material configured to collect volatile organic compounds given off from a patient&#39;s skin; a wrapping configured to isolate the collector material from an external environment; a heater comprising a heating element, the heating element configured to emit a thermal pulse to desorb the volatile organic compounds from the collector material; and a mesh layer configured to prevent the collector material from contacting the patient&#39;s skin, wherein the collector material is received between the wrapping and the mesh layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/848,319, filed May 15, 2019, which is herebyspecifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

This invention was made with government support under Contract No.DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/NationalNuclear Security Administration. The government has certain rights inthe invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to medical devices. More specifically, thisdisclosure relates to a seizure detection device.

BACKGROUND

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in the world aftermigraine, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. It is a disorder of thecentral nervous system, not caused by an underlying, treatable medicalcondition, characterized by recurring periods of altered brain functioncaused by abnormal or excessive electrical discharges in the brain,resulting in what is commonly called a seizure. It is one of the world'soldest recognized health conditions, with recorded occurrences datingback to 4,000 BC.

Worldwide, there are nearly 65 million people who have epilepsy, withmore than 3.5 million in the U.S. alone. Worldwide, there are 2.4million new cases of epilepsy each year, with more than 150,000 newcases each year in the U.S. alone. Over a lifetime, more than one intwenty-six people with be diagnosed with the disease. Medication andmedical intervention can control seizures in approximately two-thirds ofpatients, with the remaining one-third experiencing uncontrolled andunpredictable seizure episodes. There are estimated to be nearly onemillion deaths directly related to epilepsy each year worldwide,including some 50,000 deaths in the U.S each year.

Each year, approximately 80 people out of every 100,000 in the generalpopulation will experience new-onset seizures, and approximately 60% ofthese will have repeated episodes leading to the diagnosis of epilepsy.Misunderstanding, prejudice, and social humiliation have alwayssurrounded epilepsy. This continues in most countries today and cansignificantly impact the quality of life for people with epilepsy.

The social consequences of epilepsy are often more impactful than theseizures themselves. The lack of predictability inherent in epilepsy isdevastating. Never knowing when a seizure might strike imposes majorlimitations in family, social, educational, and vocational activities.In addition to the potential of serious injury from falls and otheraccidents during seizures, the societal stigma attached to epilepsy andits unpredictability that can cause significant demoralization,irritation, and anxiety. Frustratingly, studies have shown thatincreased anxiety can lead to increased incidence of seizures, andincreased seizures can lead to an even greater increase in chronicanxiety.

In summation, unexpected seizures can result in accident, injury,embarrassment, and costly trips to the emergency room. They can bedifficult to predict and can be dangerous, particularly in instanceswhere the patient is unable to contact family, a friend, or medicalpersonnel when needed. Furthermore, patients often must take dailyprophylactic medications that can be toxic and can be accompanied byunpleasant, occasionally life-threatening side effects.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

Disclosed is a collector for a seizure detection device comprising acollector material configured to collect volatile organic compoundsgiven off from a patient's skin; a wrapping configured to isolate thecollector material from an external environment; a heater comprising aheating element, the heating element configured to emit a thermal pulseto desorb the volatile organic compounds from the collector material;and a mesh layer configured to prevent the collector material fromcontacting the patient's skin, wherein the collector material isreceived between the wrapping and the mesh layer.

Also disclosed is a seizure detection device comprising a collectorcomprising a collector material configured to collect volatile organiccompounds given off from a patient's skin; a separator comprising a gaschromatography column, the gas chromatography column comprising achemically-selective film, wherein mixtures of the volatile organiccompounds are configured to elute from the collector and to diffuse intoand out of the chemically-selective film to separate the mixtures intotheir constituent chemicals; and an identifier comprising a detector anda processor, the detector configured to receive, ionize, and detect theconstituent chemicals eluting from the gas chromatography column, theprocessor configured to process information about the ionized chemicalsto identify volatile organic compounds indicative of a seizure.

Also disclosed is a method of detecting a seizure comprising collectingvolatile organic compounds with a collector material of a collector;separating each of the volatile organic compounds into its constituentchemicals with a gas chromatography column; ionizing the constituentchemicals to create ionized chemicals and detecting the ionizedchemicals; and analyzing the ionized chemicals to identifyseizure-indicative volatile organic compounds.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a seizure detection device, inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a collector of the seizure detectiondevice of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andthe previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects ofthe present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, whilestill obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. Itwill also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the presentdisclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of thepresent disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, thosewho work in the art will recognize that many modifications andadaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even bedesirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrativeof the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitationthereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more suchelements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, oneshould note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutations of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect orcombination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed in the present application is a seizure detection device andassociated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. Exampleaspects of the seizure detection device can comprise a collector, aseparator, and an identifier. It would be understood by one of skill inthe art that the disclosed seizure detection device is described in buta few exemplary aspects among many. No particular terminology ordescription should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scopeof any claims issuing therefrom.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first aspect of a seizure detection device 100according to the present disclosure. The seizure detection device 100can be configured to detect specific seizure-indicative volatile organiccompounds (a.k.a. VOCs, and also known as bio-volatile compounds) thancan be associated with epileptic seizure onset or occurrence in humanpatients. For example, the seizure-indicative VOCs can be menthone,menthyl acetate, and/or 3-ethoxy-3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene, which havebeen identified as seizure biomarkers. In other aspects, theseizure-indicative VOCs can be any other suitable compound that can beassociated with seizure in human patients. In some instances, thesespecific seizure-indicative VOCs may be present, either individually orin any combination, before, during, or after a seizure. Volatile organiccompounds (VOCs) 200 (shown in FIG. 2), including the seizure-indicativeVOCs, can be emitted as gases from the human patient, for example,through the patient's skin. According to example aspects, the seizuredetection device 100 can comprise a sensor device 110 that can detectand analyze VOCs 200 in a three-stage process includingpre-concentration (PC), gas chromatography (GC) separation, anddetection.

According to example aspects, the sensor device 110 can comprise acollector 120, a separator 130, and an identifier 150. The collector 120can be formed as a patch 122 that can contact the patient's skin 270(shown in FIG. 2). In one aspect, the patch 122 can be adhered to theskin 270 by an adhesive. In another aspect, the patch 122 can be appliedby another fastener, such as a band or tie, or any other suitablefastener known in the art. In the pre-concentration state, the collector120 can collect target chemicals (e.g., VOCs 200) from the environmentand can reject interferents. In the present aspect, the collector 120can comprise a chemically-clean wrapping 124 that can isolate acollector material 226 (shown in FIG. 2) from possible externalenvironmental contaminants. The collector material 226 can be configuredto collect VOCs 200 given off as a gas from the patient's skin 270, insome aspects, and may also collect other compounds. The collectormaterial 226 can also be isolated from direct physical contact with thepatient's skin 270 to minimize contamination by sweat or skin bacteria,as described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 2. Accordingto example aspects, a heater 228 (shown in FIG. 2) can be integratedwith the collector material 226 and a thermal pulse from the heater 228can desorb the VOCs 200 (and possibly other compounds) from thecollector material 226. A pump 132 of the seizure detection device 100can then pump the desorbed VOCs 200 through a transfer tube 134 to theseparator 130.

In the GC separation stage, the collected VOCs 200 can be injected intoa carrier gas (not shown), such as, for example, helium or nitrogen. Asmall gas plug (e.g., a sample of the carrier gas and VOC mixture) canbe injected into a long, rectangular flow column (not shown) of theseparator 130. According to example aspects, a valve 140 can controlinjection of the gas plug and the direction and flow of the gas plugthrough the column. Example aspects of the column can be a μGC (microgas chromatography) column, while in other aspects, the column can be aconventional GC (gas chromatography) column. In some aspects, the columncan be similar to any of the aspects disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.10,151,732, filed Jan. 11, 2016, U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,392, filed Jun. 10,2002, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,907, filed Jan. 31, 2002 which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties. In some aspects,the gas plug can undergo a μGC×GC separation or a conventional GC×GCseparation, which can allow for high-fidelity separations and ultra-lowfalse alarm rates. μGC×GC separation is micro gas chromatography×microgas chromatography separation, while GC×GC separation is a conventionalgas chromatography×gas chromatography separation, both of which can alsobe known as two-dimensional gas chromatography.

According to example aspects, the column can be coated with achemically-selective film, and the chemically-selective film can bereferred to as a stationary phase. As the gas plug flows through thecolumn, individual chemicals from the gas plug (including individualchemicals of the VOCs 200) diffuse into and out of the stationary phasebased on their solubility within the stationary phase. VOCs 200 with alow solubility can quickly flow through the channel, while VOCs 200 withhigh solubility can spend a relatively long time within the stationaryphase. This time-delay separates the complex chemical mixture of the gasplug into its constituent chemicals and introduces valuable spatial andchemical information that is critical for positive chemicalidentification and false alarm reductions in the detection stage. Inexample aspects, the column can be a silicon μGC column that can beabout 160 cm in length, about 65 μm in width, and about 650 μm deep. Inexample aspects, heaters (e.g., metal heaters) (not shown) can beintegrated with the silicon μGC column. Furthermore, the high aspectratio silicon μGC column can fit on a die 136 that can be about 2 cm by2 cm on each side of the die 136, which can be a significant sizereduction in comparison to traditional columns. According to exampleaspects, the reduced size can allow for a μGC separation to be performedin under 30 seconds by heating the column from 70-200+° C. at an averagepower of 4.5 W.

Finally, in the detection stage, the identifier 150 can sense thechemicals eluting from the column and can transduce the chemicalinformation to a recordable signal. For example, the identifier 150 cancomprise an Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) detector 152. In aparticular aspect, the IMS detector 152 can be a CIMS (Correlation IonMobility Spectrometer) detector. In another particular aspect, the IMSdetector 152 can be a LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic) CIMSdetector. In other aspects, the detector 150 can comprise a flameionization detector (FID), a photoionization detector (PID), a pulseddischarge ionization detectors (PDID), a resonator-based detectorincluding quartz crystal micro balances, surface acoustic wavedetectors, and/or micro-fabricated cantilever based resonators, achemiresistor, a chemicapacitor, a thermal conductivity detector (TCD),a spectroscopic detector including vacuum ultra violet (VUV),ultraviolet, visible, and/or infrared radiation detection, a massspectrometer detection method (MS), a non-gas chromatographic separationmethod such as IMS (ion mobility spectrometry), IMS-MS (ion mobilityspectrometry-mass spectrometry), and/or MS-MS (tandem massspectrometry), or any other suitable detector known in the art. Withinthe IMS detector 152, the incoming chemicals can be ionized and pulleddown an IMS drift tube (not shown) by a potential gradient. In someaspects, the IMS drift tube can be similar to the drift tube disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,812, filed Sep. 4, 2003, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Because the IMS detector 152 can operate at atmospheric pressures, theionization of the chemicals can be considered a “soft” ionization, inthat it minimizes the breakup or fragmentation of the chemicals. Theionized chemicals (also known as ions) can be drawn into the IMS drifttube, and the IMS drift tube can contain a faraday cup detector (notshown) at an end thereof that can count the ionic charge. The speed atwhich an ion travels down the IMS drift tube is a function of the ion'ssize, charge, and the interactions between the ion and other moleculesin the IMS drift tube. Careful measurement of a characteristic transitspeed down the IMS drift tube, called a reduced mobility value (or Ko),of a parent ion and its adducts can positively identify the targetspecies (e.g., the specific seizure-indicative VOCs associated withseizures). In example aspects, the seizure detection device 100 cancomprise a processor (not shown), for example, on a printed circuitboard (PCB), for processing the data and determining whether one or moreof the seizure-indicative VOCs is present. According to example aspects,a battery 180, such as a lithium ion battery, or another power sourcecan be provided for powering the sensor device 110, including theprocessor.

When detection of one or more of the seizure-indicative VOCs is made, ordetection of a significant concentration of one or more of theseizure-indicative VOCs is made, the processor can activate a signal. Insome aspects, the signal can sound an immediate alarm to alert a patientthat a seizure may be imminent. In some aspects, the signal can also oralternatively be sent wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth) to an externalreceiving unit, such as an application (also known as an app) on acellular phone, smartphone, tablet, or other electronic instrument, toactivate an additional alarm. In some instances, there can be enoughforewarning to introduce an abortive therapy for the oncoming seizure.Furthermore, in some aspects, the seizure detection device 100 can alsoalert a caregiver or emergency personnel. Memory can be included in theapplication and/or the device 100 itself that can profile levels ofseizure-indicative VOC concentration, duration, and the time and date ofoccurrence. This data can then be used as a diary of seizure activityfor later review by the patient or a physician. In some aspects, thedata can also be used to better predict future seizures based on thepatient's individual chemistry pre-seizure. For example, in one aspect,the seizure detection device 100 may detect a slightly elevatedconcentration of menthone in the patient before multiple seizureoccurrences. The processor can analyze this data to detect the patternof increased menthone pre-seizure, and can identify increased menthoneas a seizure-indicative VOC in the patient. The seizure detection device100 can then alert the patient any time menthone, or a significantconcentration of menthone, is detected.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the collector 120 takenalong line 2-2 of FIG. 1. As shown, the collector 120 can be applied tothe skin 270 of a patient. The chemically-clean wrapping 124 can definean outer layer of the collector 120. In some aspects, thechemically-clean wrapping 124 can be a polyimide film, and in thepresent aspect, the wrapping 124 can be a polyimide film with a siliconeadhesive. In other aspects, any other suitable adhesive or otherfastener can be used. The collector material 226 can define anintermediate layer of the collector 120, and in the present aspect, thecollector material 226 can be formed from PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane),which is a type of silicone, for example and without limitation. In thepresent aspect, the heater 228 can be attached to the wrapping 124, andcan be positioned between the wrapping 124 and the collector material226, as shown. In other aspects, the heating element of the heater 228can be integrated with the wrapping 124. Furthermore, a mesh 232 candefine an inner layer of the collector 120 and can be positioned betweenthe collector material 226 and the patient's skin. Example aspects ofthe mesh can be formed from a polymer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE). In other aspects, the mesh can be formed from a metal materialor any other suitable material known in the art. The mesh 232 canprevent the collector material 226 from contacting the patient's skinand being contaminated by sweat, oils, and bacteria from the skin,and/or other undesirable elements.

In other aspects, the collector 120 can be configured to collect VOCs200 through a patient's sweat, saliva, breath (e.g., exhalation), or anyother suitable bodily process. Also in other aspects, theseizure-indicative VOCs can further or alternatively includeβ-bourbonene, β-cubebene, or any other suitable VOC that may beidentified as a seizure biomarker. Furthermore, in some aspects, insteadof being in contact with the patient's skin, the collector can bepositioned near the patient (e.g., next to a patient's chair or bed, orelsewhere in a patient's room) and can be configured to collect VOCsfrom the ambient air surrounding the patient, which have been releasedinto the air through the patient's skin and/or through the patient'sexhalation.

Example aspects of the heater 228 can comprise a heating coil 230configured to emit a thermal pulse, which can desorb VOCs 200 receivedin the collector material 226 into a flow channel(s) 234 between theheating coil 230 and the collector material 226. In example aspects, apower cord 236 can be connected to the heater 228 to provide power tothe heating coil 230. In some aspects, the power cord 236 can beconnected to the battery 180 or other power source to transfer power tothe heating coil 230. When the VOCs 200 are desorbed from the collectormaterial 226 and into the flow channel 234, the pump 132 can then sweepthe VOCs 200 out of the flow channel 234 and through the transfer tube134 to the separator 130 (shown in FIG. 1).

The seizure detection device 100 can allow patients to positionthemselves such that they can avoid accident, injury, embarrassment, andunnecessary trips to the emergency room. In some aspects, the seizuredetection device 100 can also alert families, friends, and medicalpersonnel to oncoming seizures, potentially reducing the amount ofprophylactic medications need by patients on a daily basis. As many ofthese medications can be toxic and accompanied by unpleasant,occasionally life-threatening side effects, any reduction in dailydosage can result in vast improvements in patient wellbeing andfunctionality. Furthermore, the predictive seizure detection device 100can allow for the development of rescue protocols in some aspects, whichcould reduce the severity of an oncoming seizure or, in some instances,prevent onset altogether, thus reducing or avoiding the damage thatseizures can cause to the brain and the body of the patient.

Evidence indicates the presence of these seizure-indicative VOCs duringthe preictal (i.e., pre-seizure) stage, building in different patientsat different times and at different levels of concentration based on theindividual patient's metabolism and blood chemistry. Consequently, thetiming of a predictive alert issued by the seizure-protection device 100can necessarily vary from patient to patient. As a form of reference,the seizure-indicative VOCs can remain in the patient's system anywherefrom about five to forty minutes postictal (i.e., post-seizure) based onthe individual's metabolism.

Example aspects of the seizure detection device 100 can be on a smallenough scale that the seizure detection device 100 can be easilytransported with a patient as they go about daily activities, includingworking, exercising, eating, and sleeping. As such, various elements ofthe seizure detection device 100 (e.g., the column, the processor, etc.)can be formed as miniature or micro versions of such elements.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A collector for a seizure detection devicecomprising: a collector material configured to collect volatile organiccompounds given off from a patient's skin; a wrapping configured toisolate the collector material from an external environment; a heatercomprising a heating element, the heating element configured to emit athermal pulse to desorb the volatile organic compounds from thecollector material; and a mesh layer configured to prevent the collectormaterial from contacting the patient's skin, wherein the collectormaterial is received between the wrapping and the mesh layer.
 2. Thecollector of claim 1, wherein the volatile organic compounds comprise atleast one of menthone, menthyl acetate, and3-ethoxy-3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene.
 3. The collector of claim 1,wherein the heater is one of integrated with the wrapping and receivedbetween the wrapping and the collector material.
 4. The collector ofclaim 1, wherein the collector material comprises polydimethylsiloxane.5. The collector of claim 1, wherein the wrapping comprises an adhesiveconfigured to adhere the collector to the patient's skin.
 6. A seizuredetection device comprising: a collector comprising a collector materialconfigured to collect volatile organic compounds given off from apatient's skin; a separator comprising a gas chromatography column, thegas chromatography column comprising a chemically-selective film,wherein mixtures of the volatile organic compounds are configured elutefrom the collector and to diffuse into and out of thechemically-selective film to separate the mixtures into theirconstituent chemicals; and an identifier comprising a detector and aprocessor, the detector configured to receive, ionize, and detect theconstituent chemicals eluting from the gas chromatography column tocreate ionized chemicals, the processor configured and to processinformation about the ionized chemicals to identify specific volatileorganic compounds indicative of a seizure.
 7. The seizure detectiondevice of claim 6, wherein the collector defines a patch configured tocontact the patient's skin, the patch comprising an adhesive foradhering the collector to the patient's skin.
 8. The seizure detectiondevice of claim 6, wherein the collector comprises a chemically-cleanwrapping configured to isolate the collector material from externalenvironmental contaminants.
 9. The seizure detection device of claim 6,wherein the collector further comprises a mesh layer configured toisolate the collector material from the patient's skin.
 10. The seizuredetection device of claim 6, further comprising a heater comprising aheating element, the heating element configured to emit a thermal pulseto desorb the volatile organic compounds from the collector material.11. The seizure detection device of claim 6, further comprising a pumpand a transfer tube, the pump configured to pump the volatile organiccompounds through the transfer tube to the separator.
 12. The seizuredetection device of claim 6, further comprising a valve configured toinject a gas plug into the gas chromatography column, wherein the gasplug comprises a carrier gas and the volatile organic compounds.
 13. Theseizure detection device of claim 6, wherein: the detector is an ionmobility spectrometer detector comprising a drift tube; the ionizedchemicals are configured to travel through the drift tube; and theprocessor is configured to calculate a reduced mobility value of theionized chemicals traveling through the drift tube.
 14. The seizuredetection device of claim 6, wherein the specific volatile organiccompounds comprise at least one of menthone, menthyl acetate, and3-ethoxy-3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene.
 15. A method of detecting a seizurecomprising: collecting volatile organic compounds with a collectormaterial of a collector; separating a mixture of the volatile organiccompounds into its constituent chemicals with a gas chromatographycolumn; ionizing the constituent chemicals to create ionized chemicalsand detecting the ionized chemicals; and analyzing the ionized chemicalsto identify seizure-indicative volatile organic compounds.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising transferring the volatile organiccompounds from the collector to the gas chromatography column, whereintransferring the volatile organic compounds from the collector to thegas chromatography column comprises: emitting a thermal pulse from aheater to desorb the volatile organic compounds from the collector; andpumping the volatile organic compounds through a transfer tube.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein separating a mixture of the volatile organiccompounds into its constituent chemicals with a gas chromatographycolumn comprises diffusing the volatile organic compounds into and outof a chemically-selective film of the gas chromatography column.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising injecting the volatile organiccompounds into a carrier gas to form a gas plug and injecting the gasplug into the gas chromatography column.
 19. The method of claim 15,wherein analyzing the ionized chemicals to identify seizure-indicativevolatile organic compounds comprises calculating a reduced mobilityvalue of the ionized chemicals with a processor.
 20. The method of claim15, further comprising generating a signal related to theseizure-indicative volatile organic compounds with a processor.